Itinerary
- Day 1
Cape Town
You'll land at Cape Town Airport and head to your hostel to check in. After settling into your room, you'll join the evening braai where you can meet fellow travelers and try traditional South African grilled food. Later on, the rest of the night is yours to explore the local bars and pubs around the area.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional South African BBQ (Braai))
Included Activities
- Airport transfer to accommodation
- Traditional South African BBQ dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit local bars and pubs
Landmarks Table Mountain 
- Day 2
Cape Town
Grab breakfast at the hostel, then staff can walk you through how the bus system works. You have two options for the morning: either take a walking tour through Cape Town's city center hitting sites like the Castle of Good Hope and District Six Museum, or hop on a topless bus tour that covers Camps Bay, V&A Waterfront, and Table Mountain views. By afternoon you'll have free time to hang out at the beachfront area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast at accommodation
- Bus system orientation with hostel staff
- Walking tour: Castle of Good Hope, Grand Parade, Parliament Buildings, District Six Museum, Greenmarket Square, St George's Mall (or Hop On Hop Off bus tour: Camps Bay, V&A Waterfront, Table Mountain)
- Afternoon at leisure
Landmarks Castle of Good Hope Grand Parade Parliament Buildings District Six Museum Greenmarket Square St George's Mall Camps Bay V&A Waterfront Table Mountain - Day 3
Cape Town
Your volunteer work begins today in local settlements. You'll work with disadvantaged children, helping with homework, English lessons, developmental activities, or tending the vegetable garden. Food gets provided as part of the program, so you don't need to worry about meals.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Volunteer work with disadvantaged children in settlements
- Day 4
Cape Town
Another day working with children in the settlements. You'll provide educational support and work on development programs. The focus here is bridging gaps between marginalized communities through education, youth development, and skills training.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Volunteer work with disadvantaged children in settlements
- Day 5
Cape Town
Continue your volunteer work today with an emphasis on sustainable community development. You can assist with education and training programs, renovation and building work, classroom support at schools, or work in pre-schools with children ages 3 to 7. No prior experience needed for any of these roles.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Volunteer work: education and training support, renovation projects, classroom assistance, or pre-school care
- Day 6
Cape Town
You're working in Du Noon and Wolwerivier townships today. Mornings involve helping Educare Centers with games and lessons for kids ages 3 to 7. Then in the afternoons you'll shift to working with older children ages 10 to 15, teaching skills and life lessons through adventure sports activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Volunteer work: morning care and activities for children ages 3-7, afternoon adventure sports and life skills activities for children ages 10-15
- Day 7
Cape Town
This is your last day volunteering. You'll say goodbye to the children and the community you've been working with, taking time to reflect on what you've contributed during your time there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Volunteer work: final day and farewell
- Day 8
Cape Town
You have the full day free to do whatever you want. Relax at the beach if that sounds good, or go for adventure activities like shark cage diving, skydiving, or sand boarding (these cost extra). In the evening, head back to the hostel for dinner and drinks with other guests, or check out Table View's nightlife scene.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Free day at leisure
Optional Activities
- Shark cage diving in Gansbaai - see Great White Sharks in their natural habitat at Shark Alley
- Skydiving
- Sand boarding
- Beach relaxation
- Dinner and drinks at the hostel
- Explore Table View nightlife
Landmarks Shark Alley - Day 9
Cape Town
Another free day at your own pace before you start traveling. Use it to relax, try adventure activities, or explore Cape Town's restaurants and dining scene. Everything you do today is on your own dime.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Free day at leisure
Optional Activities
- Relax and rest
- Adventure activities
- Dining at Cape Town restaurants
- Day 10
Cape Town to Sedgefield/Knysna
Early morning you'll leave the Cape Town hostel heading towards the Garden Route. The drive takes you through mountain passes, vineyards, and farmland. There's a stop at Riviersonderend to taste local home-baked pastries. Later you'll reach Albertinia and then head to Wilderness for a canoe tour on the lagoon where you can watch birds. Pack everything since you'll be moving for the next few days. You'll sleep in either Sedgefield or Knysna.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Early morning breakfast before departure
- Drive through Garden Route mountain passes and farmlands
- Stop at Riviersonderend for local pastries
- Canoe on Wilderness lagoon and bird watching
- Sundowner drinks at sunset
Landmarks Table Mountain Wilderness Lagoon Myoli Beach - Day 11
Sedgefield to Jeffreys Bay
After breakfast you'll drive to Knysna and check out Knysna Heads, where sandstone cliffs meet crashing waves. If you're into thrills, there's an optional bungee jump off a 216 meter bridge. From there you head to Tsitsikamma National Park to see the marine reserve with its dramatic coastal and forest scenery. You'll walk forest trails and cross a suspension bridge. The day ends in Jeffreys Bay, known as a surfer hotspot.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Drive to Knysna
- Visit Knysna Heads and sandstone cliffs
- Travel to Tsitsikamma National Park
- Walk forest trails and suspension bridge
- Drive to Jeffreys Bay
Optional Activities
- World's highest bungee bridge jump at 216 meters - Knysna Heads (at extra cost)
Landmarks Knysna Heads Tsitsikamma National Park - Day 12
Jeffreys Bay
Early morning transfer to Addo Elephant National Park for a game drive with a guide who'll help you spot the Big 5 and maybe the Big Seven including great whites and southern right whales. You'll get back to Jeffreys Bay with the afternoon free. Spend that time shopping at the surf village, taking a surf lesson, sand boarding, or going horseback riding at a nearby secluded beach.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Early transfer to Addo Elephant National Park
- Expert-guided game drive to spot Big 5
- Return to Jeffreys Bay
Optional Activities
- Shopping at J'Bay's surf village
- Learn to surf
- Sand boarding
- Horseback riding at secluded beach
Landmarks Addo Elephant National Park - Day 13
Jeffreys Bay to Oudtshoorn
You're heading inland toward Klein Karoo today, arriving in Oudtshoorn. Tour an ostrich farm to learn about the world's largest bird, then visit Cango Caves, an underground space lit up with different passageways and chambers. Pick between the Heritage Tour at an easier pace or the Adventure Tour if you want more action. If it's available, you can also do a 4x4 game drive at Buffelsdrift Private Game Reserve to spot rhino and giraffe.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive to Oudtshoorn
- Ostrich farm tour
- Cango Caves tour (Heritage Tour or Adventure Tour option)
Optional Activities
- 4x4 game drive at Buffelsdrift Private Game Reserve to spot rhino and giraffe (at extra cost, depending on availability)
Landmarks Cango Caves Buffelsdrift Private Game Reserve - Day 14
Oudtshoorn to Cape Town
Start with an optional walk with orphaned elephants at Buffelsdrift Private Game Reserve (a guide explains their background as you interact, touch their skin, and get trunk hugs). Then drive back to Cape Town via Route 62, South Africa's version of America's Route 66. Stop at a wine tasting spot to try wines from the Western Cape's longest wine route.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive back to Cape Town via Route 62
- Wine tasting and sampling en route
Optional Activities
- Optional stroll with rescued orphaned elephants at Buffelsdrift Private Game Reserve (at extra cost)
Landmarks Buffelsdrift Private Game Reserve Route 62
